12-26-11 10:38 am pac

                                                                                  Jack "The Assassin" Tatum

If you have a pulse and have seen any Raider related football games this season you're probably aware that the Silver and Black are on pace to set the League record for most penalized team in history.

With analysts and former greats spouting things like "There are alot of Raiders proud of that", is it any wonder Oaklands penalty situation is as misunderstood as it is to cure but hold the phone, in bizarro Raider Land, penalties are in their own weird way, actually a good thing.

Thats right, a good thing.

Its the fall back of every lazy announcer out there and the moment Oakland draws a flag up go the stat graphics and off go the talking heads for the remainder of the game talking about how the Oakland Raiders perennially lead the League in personal fouls and flags thrown altogether.

This years record pace is embarrassing fodder but the fact is, the Raider W-L record is better when they draw double digit penalties.

Wether its anger that focuses Oaklands fury into making game winning plays or completely unrelated the world will never know but the truth is, Oakland plays better when they *gulp* play worse.

That doesn't mean it on purpose or even warranted but when you piss the Raiders off they get a little more involved.

Former QB Boomer Esiason is the alledged broadcaster who made the statement about Oakland being proud of showing less discipline than most High school teams and during the medieval era with Madden, Kenny the Snake and a host of beloved thugs and Raider riff raff, yeah, maybe they were a little proud of drawing flags for unecessary roughness because the way the game was then, or at least the way the Raiders played, it was a physical battle and a gauntlet of punishment.

Oakland roughed you up, made you question wether you wanted to even go back on the field and failing that, they at least distracted you from your job if even for a fraction of a second say like, when you're a WR going over the middle against George Atkinson or worse Jack Tatum.

So yes, Oakland DID have a reputation for taking heads but this milenniums Raiders draw flags for mental errors like off sides, false starts, 12 men on the field and pass interference.

We're pretty sure none of them are very proud of that.

12-15-11 7:48 am pac            

Photo David Duprey / AP

The Silver and Black secondary has been off line since before the season even began.

Many think it started with the season ending hip dislocation suffered by Safety Hiram Eugene but it actually started day one with rookie Chimdi Chekwa's shoulder injury suffered on his first blocking drill.

Though Chekwa said his shoulder injury wasn't related to one he suffered in College, he mentioned a little while back he was having surgery to finally repair his shoulder.

It was a lingering hamstring that saw him placed on IR on November 17th and play in only 4 games despite Oaklands devastated secondary.

Veteran Chris Johnson has been out almost the entire season with a groin injury that became infected after surgery and then, finally healthy, bowed out of the Green Bay debacle after the shooting of his Mother and death of his sister the week before.

He may be back against Detroit but whether he can even play up to an NFL level still is a complete unknown.

FS Michael Huff has played with a bad ankle most of the season and thats too bad because he came into camp rocked up and looking like he was poised for a Pro Bowl season.

He missed practice yesterday but not because of his ankle. A hamstring suffered against the Packers is hampering him now. 

Both Eugene and the promising Chekwa should be back next season but thats cold comfort for a struggling D desperately fighting to stay in the AFC Wild card hunt.

CB Bryan McCann was brought in to fill for Chekwa but has seen more time in the return game than defending passes thanks to injuries to WR/KRs Ford and Moore and the addition of veteran help Lito Sheppard.

Though Sheppard has been in the League since 2002, the former 26th over all pick by the Eagles has struggled right along side this fellow DBs since the death of Al Davis and the introduction of more and more zone coverage as opposed to Davis' man heavy scheme.

CB Nnamdi Asomugha went to Philly for a Kings ransom, but like his former Raider counter parts is struggling mightily after he was similarly exposed by a system espousing more zone than man.

Seems to us Defensive Coordinator Chuck Bresnahan should take a page from Hue Jax book and play to his units strengths ie. more man, less zone.

Oakland has been torched time and again, especially on 3rd down and red zone when not playing man.

Switching things up and playing away from the strength his unit was built for, coupled with the complete decimation of said unit isn't helping.

Pair that with an anemic O and a dinged up, aging D line and its a recipe for failure.

The good news is, Oakland is still, barely, in the post season hunt, it may get back some of its Offensive speed weapons and theres still time to go back to what the Raiders secondary was built for.

12-02-11 12:01 am pac

                                                                                                                           MLB Rolando McClain

Originally published 05-06-10

Oakland shocked the world last April with the sensibility of its 2010 1st round (8th overall) selection of middle linebacker Rolando McClain, signifying a renewed dedication to stopping the run, but in recent memory the Raiders have stumbled with their 1st round draft picks.

Can the Raiders count on McClain to lead their team back into prominence or are they faced with another potentially great football player with issues off field?

Watching game footage of him in college, the former Alabama All Americans film doesn’t reveal a rock solid tackling machine but rather a player who’s study habits and instincts make up for deficiencies in his game.

In fact, one of the key reasons for McClain’s selection by the silver and black may be hopes his impressive preparation and leadership can carry over into the locker room and beyond.

Its hoped the 6-3, 255 lb bruiser can be a coach on the field, making reads and audibles, making sure assignments are understood, responsibilities met and gaps filled. All things former Raider middle line backer Kirk Morrison struggled mightily with.

Morrison, (who joined the Jags this off season shortly after being released from Oakland) consistently led the Raiders in tackles, but as IBA writer Jerry McDonald put it, "...it doesn't help much when most of them are 5-7 yds down field".

It may be too much to ask of McClain to become an all pro run stopper right out of the gate, but guiding Oaklands run defense out of the statistical cellar is a must.

Its a lot to ask of a 20 yr old rookie, but McClain is not one to shy away from hard work.

Unlike some of his former team mates, McClain has always been mature for his age.

He’s had to be.

McClain is mending fences now, but bounced from home to home in his teen years as his Mother struggled with authorities and a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder.

When he was 11, Rolando’s father was arrested for selling cocaine and given 3 yrs probation but wanted his son to learn from the error of his ways, taking him to the Huntsville airport to watch him wash dishes, teaching his son "There are better ways to make a living".

When he was 17 he left home with "The clothes on my back and a scholarship to Alabama" after a conftontation with his mother ended in her arrest.

In December 2005, McClain received a court order to keep his mother away from him, according to court records. "We got into an argument," McClain's petition said. "My mom pushed and hit me several times. She left the room and got a knife. She threatened to kill me."

Despite their tumultuous relationship McClain insists his Mother taught him core ideals and most importantly, right from wrong.

For the young McClain, family struggles extended beyond his Mother.

In the Decatur housing project McClain grew up in drugs and violence were prevalent. Gang rivalries developed between the city's two high schools. The kids at Decatur High were known as the "Homeboys," and those from Austin High called themselves "Cash Money Boys." Fights between the groups were common.

McClain took these lessons to heart and though he fled the strife of his teen aged home life, he maintained rare focus and phenomenal study habits through out his adversity.

At Bama McClain quickly astonished coaches with his intelligence and drive, soon becoming their defensive leader.

Despite his acheivements, there are those who claim McClain was the beneficiary of a Crimson Tide defense studded with depth and talent and that may be true, but with new additions to the Raider line up on the defensive side of the ball, he may have the help he needs at the next level too.

In addition to McClain the Raiders have made moves this off season to shore their leaky run D including drafting 2^nd round selection Texas DT/DE Lamarr Houston, ditching under performing DT Gerard Warren and the aforementioned Morrison and adding bulk to their line backing corps with Quentin Groves and Kamerion Wimbley who share McClain's ample measurements.

Former Patriot and 5 time Pro Bowler Richard Seymour couldn’t do it alone last year but with new blood on defense and a new mix of experienced players things could be different in 2010.

Especially if McClain can live up to the hype.

No matter the pitfalls or glory that await him in his burgeoning NFL career, it’s a safe bet McClain will take them in stride, keep them in perspective and work his way through them.

Just like he’s always done.

12-01-11 1:33pm pac
     
Photo John Godbey                

MLB Rolando McClain has been arrested in Alabama for 3rd degreee assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in the city limits.

The police report says the victim, unnamed in the report, told police that he suffered head and face injuries and crawled to his car.
At that point, McClain “produced a pistol and aimed it at him. He said that while he was still on the ground, McClain walked over to him and put the gun to his head. The victim reported that he begged McClain not to shoot him and that McClain took the gun away from his head, held it next to his ear and fired it.”

Coach Jackson said before the arrest announcement that he was aware of the situation and expected McClain back in time for Oaklands match up with Miami.

Not sure it thats changed or not but McClain's bond was set at $2,000.

McClain was in town for his Grandfathers funeral. 

Back in January a vehicle McClain was driving was fired upon by unknown assailents. A bullet was later removed from the vehicles tailgate by police.

11-31-11 11:27 pm pac               

Photo / Getty Images                                                                                                  RB Darren McFadden

The situation hasn't been desperate enough to wonder if Oakland can even field a team but its been close at times.

The injuries acrued so far this season read like a medical journal and would make most squads combat ineffective.

Thanks to some shrewd manuevering and a touch of river boat gambling that would've done the Mr. Davis proud, Oakland has more than stayed in the hunt, they lead the Division by a game over the rough shod Broncos. 

What Hue Jackson has done in his first ever season as a Head Coach is beyond remarkable especially considering where this ball club has been for last 8 seasons.

When the Raiders lost their starting QB many felt Oaklands season was done for.

When it was finally revealed RB Darren McFadden would miss multiple games many felt sure Oaklands season was done for.

Pile on the mountain of injuries suffered by the Silver and Black and many felt...well, you get the picture.

Despite the roster devastation and curiously, in some ways, because of it, Oakland has not only sustained a winning record, they're actually leading the AFC West 7-4.

Coach Hue Jackson's assertion the day of Carson Palmer's acquistion from exile in Cinncinati that the deal was "the greatest trade in football" drew smirks even from the most fervent Raider fans but after 3 straight 300 yd games (Palmer technically threw for 299 against the Vikings) Jackson's certitude is starting to look less ludicrous and more like genius.

WR Denarius Moore was injured returning a punt against Minnesota and fooled many a reporter by showing up for practice in full gear but then standing down when he was deemed not healthy enough to participate.

DE Jarvis Moss missed out today too healing up from a hamstring pull.

Both may miss Miami.

Oakland lost its owner, its starting Quarterback Jason Campbell, its starting Running back Darren McFadden, its starting Right Defensive End Matt Shaughnessy, starting Cornerback Chris Johnson and too many other dings, strains, concussions and contusions to mention, yet through it all Oakland is finding a way to hang on to wins. 

Deft veteran additions to the fray like Palmer, LB Aaron Curry and CB Lito Sheppard have been solid contributing veterans.
WR TJ Houshmandzadeh may look to join them this week end if not with the offense, then on punt returns.

The former Bengal fair caught one last Sunday against the Bears and was seen field them at todays practice.

One of the reasons why? Among the walking wounded is WR/KR Ace Jacoby Ford.

He's likely to miss Oaklands matchup with Miami due to his still sore ankle sprain.

He, like McFadden, hopes to be back in time for Green Bay.

Us too.

11-22-11 2:22 pm pac                         
        
                                                                                          We ain't trippin'!                                        

Now, before you start "trippin' balls" allow us to explain.

Even before his start as a college O line coach at Brown in 1980 to his signing by Oakland in 2011 Bob Wylie has been at it for 4 decades, 18 yrs of it at the Professional level, polishing his skills, perfecting his craft.

Teaching O linemen to block.

Hes also an accomplished magician, wowing Raider Linemen with sleight of hand during down moments on the practice field.

The new Raider Line Coach and a group of other O line Coaches work their magic every year with a 2 day meeting of similar minded individuals collectively called C.O.O.L., short for "Coaches of Offensive Linemen".

At the core of the seminars are a dedicated group of Coaches led by Wylie and known collectively as "The Mushroom Society."

Wylie explains:

“The Mushroom signifies the similarity between the “O-Line” coach and the fungus. Both are kept in the dark and fed garbage yet continue to flourish!”

And since his addition in Oakland, flourish they have.

Last year Oakland ranked 28th after giving up 46 sacks and 121 Qb hits allowed.

As we head into week 12 of the 2011 season Wylie's O line has given up 15 sacks and allowed 46 QB hits, ranking them the 4th overall O line in the League.

Despite his knowledge, status and connections theres nothing particularly magical about Wylie's miraculous transformation of the Oakland O line or his basic philosophy when it comes to imparting blocking skills.

“My whole philosophy of blocking is, you need to create leverage,” Wylie said. “Period. And I don’t care what position. Whether it’s the tight ends, backs, receivers, the whole object of the deal is, the body has two power producing angles.

There’s an upper body power angle and there’s a lower body power angle. And it’s the way it’s worked since the good dawn of time. It’s the way your body is constructed, and I try to teach them how the body works.”

The results Wylie has conjured with Oaklands O line have been more than simple illusion, they're real, tangible and really quite remarkable.

We warned emphatically that Oaklands O line looked like it could be a disaster this pre season and without camps, in a strike shortened off season things looked dire indeed.

The departure of two starters (LG Robert Gallery to Seattle and RT Langston Walker) left behind a blend of vets and newbies to work with. In fact, the only two linemen who looked like starters were rookie 2nd round draft pick Stefan Wisniewski and 2nd yr LT Jared Veldheer.

Everything else was up in the air.

Last years starting Center Samson Satele looked like he might not even make the team at one point this off season, Right Guard, 11 yr vet Cooper Carlisle was supposedly done and Khalif Barnes had never played Right Tackle in his College or 7 yr NFL career.

Wylie got started right away teaching leverage and more importantly, communication.

The new Coach implored his linemen to talk to each other while they were on the line.

Simple, but this along with excellent fundamentals were key to the Raiders amazing O line success.

So was the addition of HOF Legend and former Raider Lineman Steven Wisniewski to the Coaching pool.

Wylie may be the magician but Wizzer has a few tricks of his own.

His nastiness and ability to skirt the zebras prying eyes has also been instrumental in helping Oaklands runners breaking free into the second level and in keeping Oaklands QBs clean.

We won't tell you what they are but we've seen several of them used to great effect in real time game situations and they, in and of themselves have to be considered a little sleight of hand as well.

Wylie, the collective mind of The Mushroom Society, an evil Wizard 
and a lot of hard work have paid off in spades for the Raiders in unlikely O line success and that has been so far, Wylie's greatest trick of all. 

11-16-11 1:21 pm pac                   
Photo Harry How / Getty N. America                                                                                 WR Denarius Moore


We mentioned in an article this pre season that the Raiders O had a "Dangerous New Dimension" in QB Jason Campbell, TE Kevin Boss and a burgeoning young WR corps, but things took a turn for the surreal when Campbell went down with a broken clavical.

Changed indeed and surprsingly, against all odds, for the better...

CALLING ALL CARSONS

HC Hue Jackson drew murmurs and excessive eye rolling when he stated the trade of 1st rnd and 2nd picks to Cincinnati for the disgrunteld former 1st overall draft pick was perhaps the greatest trade in football but many of those groaners and blinkers began re-thinking thier stance after Oaklands Thurday night shelling of San Diego.

Thanks in part to deep completions to WRs Jacoby Ford and rookie Denarius Moore Palmer averaged nearly 15 whopping yds per completion on 14 of 20 passes for 299 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT.

Something tells us Al would approve.

DAVIS' DATED DIMENSION ALL THE RAGE

We even heard naysayers lament Davis' "dated philosophy" on the deep ball but the truth is, 12 teams tallied over 4,000 yds passing last year.

Thats never happened before.

Now Oakland will look to join those teams in racking up big yards and TDs through the air. That is, when they're not tearing up defenses with a ground pounding, home run threat running game.

Once RB Darren McFadden gets back?

Whoo boy...

Oaklands dangerous new dimension in the passing game now isn't just intermediate passing, its the old school Al Davis, "take what we want when we want it" deep strike style of football that made the Raiders famous and the League afraid.

We'll see if the Raiders can replicate this in the Vikings back yard this Sunday.

They might need to if Minnesota's 6th ranked rushing defense shows up.

Oakland will in all likelihood look to go ground again with RBs Michael Bush and Taiwan Jones.

HC Hue Jackson isn't ruling McFadden out just yet, mind you. The explosive young runner has been out since the Kansas City game due to a "mid foot sprain" and has yet to take the field with Palmer.

McFadden was seen on the sidelines at practice today without his protective boot but will probably still be held out.

11-07-11 1:07 pm pac      
Photo Tony Gonzales                                                                                                   RB Darren McFadden

No one else is going to tell you but we think DMC is a no go against San Diego.

Our people tell us he's still hobbled by his "mid foot sprain" and can't put pressure on it.

He might be able to run on it but we're hearing hes having trouble walking on his right foot.

This would be a huge blow but McFadden has really only experienced one season where he was able to stay relatively healthy and productive.

Oakland is going to have to think long and hard about Michael Bush's contract expiration at the end of the season.

Bush will likely be the work horse again against SD and he gained 96 yds on 19 carries until the game situation dictated more passing and less running.

RB Taiwan Jones will need to show hes mentally capable of playing at the NFL level. His debut consisted of 2 carries for 1 yd and two bone head penalties on Special Teams.

Hes a dynamic, explosive player Jackson needs to exploit.

Jackson play calling has come into question and it rightly should. He's over his head and has been in the majority of games this year.

Bad play calling, confussion, bad depth charts on and on.

Its easy to level criticism but all things considered, Hue's 2nd yr as a HC, the death of Davis, the loss of his starting QB, the loss of his starting, League leading RB and many, many other obstacles and circumstances that have conspired.

With McFadden looking like he may be out for at least San Diego Jackson will have another hurdle to over come but his decisions and leadership are the same as the post Davis Raiders.

A work in  progress.

11-05-11 12:30 pm pac

                  
Photo Ben Margot / AP                                                                                                          HC Hue Jackson

Its been a wild, wild ride so far for Hue Jackson and the Raider Nation.

Even before the passing of Mr. Davis, Jackson was on a rocket ride in Oakland. But his football career really began in L.A..

The Los Angeles native was star QB at Dorsey High School, again at Glendale Community College and later under Bob Cope, at the University of the Pacific.

Jackson stayed on there and Coached for 3 yrs before moving to Cal State Fullerton, where he Coached up Running Backs, then helped the London Monarchs win the World League.

In the 2000's Jackson was with USC and actively helped recruit players like Oaklands current QB and Heisman trophy winner, Carson Palmer.

If not for the passing of Mr. Davis, its a pretty safe bet Palmer would never have donned the Silver and Black.

Only time will tell if Jackson's gamble will pay off.

Davis was a gambling man himself but a gambler with the blessed with super natural business instincts, a masterful, innovative and often unique insight into the game and the way its played, League rules, connections (he practically helped build the League) and football knowledge unsurpassed by any man living or past.

These are simple facts.

Looking at Jackson's moves since Mr. Davis' departure to football heaven reveal a gambler attitude as well but not completely without consideration.

Jackson is no Al Davis, but then again, who could be?

Some paint Jackson's personnel moves since the passing of the torch as desperate but further examination show his moves aren't shots in the dark, but calculated, considered moves and not simply an attempt to recreate Cincinnati west.

The Palmer deal makes sense and seems more an act of timing and need as much as wish fufillment.

Much like Davis, Jackson fell back on what was familiar when things turned sour and when starting QB Jason Campbell went down Jackson fell back on what he knew or more accurately, who he knew.

Look for more of these changes next year when it comes to Coaching staff.

The subsequent addition of WR TJ Houshmandzadeh is also a considered move by Jackson that will either prove to be inspired or misfired but one again, using solid, familiar, football strategy after an unbiased (and correct) assessment of the Raider Offense in the post Jason Campbell era.

We were the first to report RB Darren McFadden may miss more than just the Bronco game and that in and of itself could've been a reason to look for a veteran Receiver but add in the youth and inexperience of Oaklands Wide Receiver corps (average age 23, average NFL experience 2.5 yrs) factored by the inexperience of current WR Coach SanJay Lal (2 yrs as lead WRs Coach) and the signing of the Jackson familiar, experienced 34 yr old Houshmandzadeh seems like another considered, strategic move.

As far as structuring a battle plan Jackson has a pretty good model to follow while he carves his own niche in Raider lore.

By following the wisdom of going with what you know, never lying to yourself, playing to win, using your connections and doing your homework maniacally Jackson has made some radical moves but far from random shots in the dark.

Some may fail, some may prosper but it appears all have been made with careful consideration toward one goal.

Winning.

Nothing could be more Al Davis than that.    

11-02-11 10:21 pm pac               

Photo Tony Gonzales                                                                                              WR TJ Houshmandzadeh

Not only will new WR TJ Houshmandzadeh provide a font of invaluable information and strategic real time game knowledge his younger Wide outs can benefit from, it will also give Oakland what it had and then lost, for a myriad of reasons.

In pre season, our article "The Raiders Dangerous New Dimension" explained how they had the potential to move the chains through the air.

And they did.

But then in a sudden flurry of activity beginning with the passing of All Time Legend Al Davis and ending yesterday with the signing of Houshmandzadeh.

Well, at least ending for now...

Signing "Housh" makes absolutely perfect sense, nay, mandate, because when QB Jason Campbell went down with a broken clavical and Carson Palmer came on board Oakland lost its offensive punch and worse, its production.

Boller, Palmer and even Oaklands entire passing scheme was exposed by Kansas City.

Without the break away threat of Darren McFadden in the backfield, the Raiders over simplified, same routes on both sides of the field pass patterns were picked apart for points and led to a humiliating loss.

Of course Palmer should be better with a few more practices under his belt but the addition of Houshmendzadeh should allow the Raiders to run those chain moving, mid field patterns the Raiders young and inexperienced Wide Receivers, for whatever reason, have not.

TE Kevin Boss has been silent since a concussion and has been under utilized as a receiving option but his down the seems receiving skill set could begin to pay off soon especially if the Raiders can get their run game going again.

The problem is, they may have to do it without McFadden.

And maybe beyond Denver.

We have no definitive proof of anything but their are certain signs and indicators that may point toward McFadden being out longer than this Sunday.

The Raiders may simply be excersizing caution, but the Pro Bowl caliber home run threat was seen struggling around the Raider parking lot with crutches and a boot on his right foot.

Seems like a lot for a "mid foot sprain" that had no structural damage according to team medical sources.

Add in the emergency addition of TJ coupled with Jackson's odd insistence that "Carson Palmer had nothing to do with this signing" when speaking of the Houshmandzadeh deal and the over active mind begins to wonder if maybe Jackson is desperately trying to shore against Oaklands passing game failings because it will strengthen the team or if he's worried about his run game.

If we really wanted to go over the top we'd mention how many people thought RB Michael Bush looked slow and sluggish against KC.

But we won't, because we're pretty sure this? All of this, is all just wild conjecture.

Right?

Probably but we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention it.

11-01-11 6:11 pm pac                   

Photo Gregory Shamus / Getty Images                                                                      WR TJ Houshmandzedah

Palmer, Sheppard, Houshmandzadeh, some skeptics claim all Oakland has gotten is older and slower.

Thats one way to look at it.

After all QB Carson Palmer is 34.

CB Lito Sheppard is 30.

WR TJ Houshmandzadeh is 34 as well.

Another way to look at it is this: Veteran Leadership.

Palmer has performed at a high level before in this League and with this man.

Head Coach Hue Jackson is also familiar with Houshmandzadeh's capabilities too.

He may or may not have lost a step but he was never a burner anyway. "Housh" has simply been a guy who finds a way to get open and a way to make tough, important grabs in traffic.

Plus, he's already got chemistry with Carson.

Sheppard brings 10 yrs of experience to the table playing quarter, Cover 2, bump and run, press man and every other Defense concieved in the League.

He may not have "Raider speed" but he's got smarts and he can help his fellow Raider DBs with their learning curve by imparting his vast amount of knowledge and experience.

He can also help Hall of Famer and DB Coach Rod Woodsen school up Oaklands young, rookie Cornerbacks, help with reads and in game, inter-squad assessments on the fly.

So yeah, maybe Oakland has "gotten slower" but they've also gotten wiser and  any gambler knows, its the smart ones you gotta watch out for.

Blending this depth of experience with Oaklands top flight physical talent not only seems like a wise move, it seems like a given.

Remember, Jackson is in his first year ever as a Head Coach. Woodsen in in his first year Coaching too.

The Raiders have some vets already to be sure, Seymour, Henderson, Carlisle but for the most part this is a very young and inexperienced team. Adding a few seasoned vets to the mix to help "Coach up" the young guns makes sense. 

10-21-11 7:33 pm pac         
                                                                      LB Aaron Curry at the 2009 Combine

Some think starting QB Carson Palmer right away is a bad idea. And they're right.

No need to rush the big armed former Bengal back into the fray especially since Oakland is still in the hunt and KC seems to be on a down turn. Add in the bye week after sundays game and it simply makes more sense to put him on clip board patrol when the Chiefs come to town, give him the bye to knock the rust off and fire him up against a dinged up and rebuilding Broncos franchise.

Many sight new comer Aaron Curry, acquired from Seattle for a 7th round 2012 selection, as a reason for seeing Carson on sunday because Curry was immeditately thrown in to the fire days after joining the Raiders. 

That was a completely different situatiuon.

Curry was coming from an over complicated Seattle D where he was miscast.

Curry was able to play right away because the Raiders took the former 4th overall draft pick aside and told him to play like he did at Wake Forest where he was won the Butkus award along with a host of other accolades.

At Wake Curry had two basic functions and was allowed to simply hunt the ball carrier which he was very, very good at.

Curry will be given a chance to do exactly that again only this time for the Silver and Black.

Palmer on the other hand will not be handed a simplified system and will be in charge of the entire Offensive squad where as the amazingly athletic Curry is simply being unleashed.

Curry we will see Sunday at the Coliseum against the Chiefs.

Palmer?

We'll see him too but most likely with that clip board we mentioned earlier.

10-18-11 11:30 pm pac

                                                                                                                                       QB Carson Palmer

It isn't a done deal and the trade deadline is looming in about 4 hours.
A physical, a restructure for Carson's salary and of course League approval are contingent on this being a legit done deal but Hue Jackson shows that Al Davis is still alive by pushing all of his chips into the center of the table and making Cincinnati an offer they couldn't refuse.

UPDATE: It IS official. Palmer was signed and will wear #3.

Palmer's Contract this year is for 2.5 million & 12.5/13/15 for the remaining three years.

For Palmer, this is NOT about the money...

It'll cost Oakland TWO 1st round draft picks (2012 and a conditional 2013) for the veteran QB and he could play this week end though the safer bet would be Boller this Sunday against KC at home.

After the Chiefs Oakland has a bye week to get Carson up to speed for the Broncos.

Palmer's the vertical QB the Raiders desire now that QB Jason Campbell is out with his broken clavical and it will be interesting to see what becomes of him since his contract with Oakland is up at the end of the year.

Rookie 3rd round supplemental draft pick Terrelle Pryor will be given the time he needs to learn and grow and its not inconcievable to see Campbell return as well but those are concerns for later.

Going all in on Palmer could mean a departure from Campbell IF Palmer does well.

HC Hue Jackson used his inside track with Bengals owner Mike Brown who would've been content to let Palmer rot on his couch for the next two years just to prove a point.

Its a gamble but we love how Jackson has the Al Davis playbook and he is letting it ride.

This is an exciting move and again, one we think our fallen Leader would approve of.

Somewhere in Heaven Davis is sitting in a Golden Golf cart over seeing the greatest football team in Heaven and smiling.

Thumbs up and "Just win baby"...

10-17-11 6:57 pm pac                 
       
Photo Tony Gonzales                                                                              Boller OC Saunders and Campbell


RNS reported Oakland is interested in working out serial back up QB Todd Bouman.

Bouman's been with the Rams, the Packers, the Saints and the Ravens. Thats where he and Hue Jackson were first in proximity.

We're not sure if this is a smoke screen while the Raiders bring in a vet or if its insurance as a camp arm or if this means Bouman will back up Boller.

Lots to be determined before tomorrows 4 pm trade deadline, or maybe not. Anything could happen but we're feeling like HC Hue Jackson could stand pat and roll with Boller and gamble that QB Jason Campbell's clavical surgery was successful and that the veteran QB will be back on the short end of a 6 to 8 week prognosis.

Heres where we stand as of this printing:

HAIRY PALMER

The Carson Palmer deal may be the most appealing but not without its foibles.

Given the contentious situation betwixed player and owner any trade talks could get hairy.

And expensive.

Palmer has reportedly been keeping in football shape and throwing everyday but there would likely be a learning curve. If Oakland were to somehow pry Palmer away from the Bengals they better want to sign himn to a long term deal because the price could be high.

Maybe too high.

It never mattered when Mr. Davis was alive and although media types often played up the whole "Oakland is broke!" routine, the only player disgruntled in his contract talks with the Silver and Black was JaMarcus he who shall not be named and we all know how that turned out.

Not Al's fault in other words.

Still, Mr. Davis, is sadly gone now and aside from the Seattle trade for LB Aaron Curry (a deal that may have been in the works before Mr. Davis' passing) a deal for a new Raider QB could be the biggest deal since our dear owners demise.

And mid-season no less.

With the current power structure no doubt planned for, but in transistional flux, Oakland may feel like a major addition may be too risky or expensive at this point.

Oakland is currently $6 million over the cap and although Carson reportedly has stated he has over $100 million in the bank Cincinnati's owner Mike Brown is not one to be bullied by a player *ahem Ocho cough, cough* and seem to have a vindictive streak against Palmer.

He'd rather seem him rot on the couch than play for anyone else no matter the offer.

Palmer's under contract until 2014.

ORTON HEARS A BOO

Tim Tebow has been on a roller coaster ride since now defunct Denver HC Josh McDaniels took a flyer on the storied College QB.

Denver went as far as trying to trade starter Kyle Orton only to scramble back to him in after Tebow's comically horrific pre season camp outing.

New GM John Elway and new HC John Fox have decided to let the inmates run the asylum and once again Orton is on the outs.

Tebow will be the starter from here on out and Orton has been demoted even though brat back up QB Brady Quinn made news by breaking ranks to hang with his girlfriend rather than be with the team.

For Orton, the situation couldn't get much worse.

Till today.

The Denver Post reported the Broncos were indeed interested in entertaining offers for Orton once again this year.

Then later in the day reported Oakland wasn't interested.

Few know for sure but we're thinking the Raiders are NOT in interested in Orton.

Again, Oaklands paltry $6 million may not be enough for Orton. HC Hue Jackson stated he would like a QB familiar with the system that could come in and contribute right away rather than be "3 or 4 weeks behind the curve."

Add to this the fact the draft pick hungry Broncos won't have much to receive from Oakland doesn't have a second, third, fourth or seventh-round draft picks in the 2012 draft. Those deals brought in RB Taiwan Jones, OL Joe Barksdale, QB Jason Campbell and most recently WLB Aaron Curry.

AND THE REST

Other names have been mentioned including *gulp* Josh McKown and Trent Edwards who was with Oakland this off season but failed to make the team.

He is more familiar with the Raiders current system but isn't a solid QB and is rumored to not be interested anyway. *Phew!*

QB David Garrard would've been interesting but the reason Jacksonville dumped him so uncerimoniously in favor or green draft sliding rookie Blaine Gabbert is because Garrad is having surgery on a herniated disk.

Brodie Croyle and Troy Smith are other names tossed in the hat with Smith being the lesser of two evils.

As it stands it looks like no matter which direction Oakland goes or even if it stands still, Kyle Boller will be the man until Jason Campbell returns.